Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Mel
Are the existing engines strong enough to pull up the grade on the 17th Ave hill west of Sarcee? Or do they need to get stronger trains for that? The overpass will help decrease the adverse grade, but that's still a beotch of a hill for a train.
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It is a bit of a climb. The interchange will ease quite a bit of the grade though. I believe that LRT like Calgary and Edmonton's are good with grades up to about 6-6.5%. The elevated guideway further down the West LRT line helps negotiate grades there. No stronger trains needed.
New trains are needed to service the extra track mileage being built for the West LRT though, along with the NW to Tuscany and NE to Saddletowne extensions. 34 new LRVs have been ordered for these new extensions, plus four more to replace some older retired LRVs. They will be a little different than what we have seen in Calgary before. There will be a different seating arrangement, exterior profile and air conditioning. Here's a video and a couple screen captures to show the new style LRVs:
